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As predicted, Apple has started selling unlocked (GSM) iPhone 4 devices in the U.S. early this morning.
If you don't want a multiyear service contract or if you prefer to use a local carrier when traveling abroad, the unlocked iPhone 4 is the best choice. It arrives without a micro-SIM card, so you'll need an active micro-SIM card from any supported GSM carrier worldwide.
Pricing starts at $649 for a 16GB model and $749 for 32GB model. Both White and Black models are offered.
The main advantage of buying an unlocked iPhone is for international travel, as the device is not dependent on any particular carrier. The U.S. only has one network (AT&T) which fully supports all the features of an unlocked GSM iPhone. T-Mobile is compatible with voice calls, but the 3G network is not compatible. The higher price of the iPhones reflect no-contract pricing as well as the unlocked status of the device. While the iPhone 4 had been sold unlocked in other countries, this is the first time Apple has offered them in the U.S.
Top Rated Comments
Who gives a **** how much it sells for (comparatively) in other countries?
Uh... People in other countries? There are a lot of them you know.
Geez, do unlocked phones usually cost this much?
What did you expect it to cost?
Unlocked iPhone4 cost here:
In Czech Rep.:16GB CHF 769.-
32GB CHF 899.-
in USD: 916.-/1'070.-
so for us swiss, this is VERY cheap...
16GB 16 499CZK
32GB 19 999CZK
in USD: 916/1052
Yep, very cheap... :/ USA has always everything cheap :/ And they think it is expensive... :D Try to living in Europe for a while, on average we have smaller salary AND more expensive stuff... Great combination.